How leaders influence mental wellness in the workplace

Mental health in America – and beyond – is deteriorating. The number of people currently experiencing significant mental health challenges has increased dramatically in recent years.

From 2008 to 2017, experiences of serious psychological distress among young adults increased 71 percent, and suicidal thoughts and actions increased 47 percent. An estimated 15 percent of the workforce struggles with a clinically diagnosed mental disorder; over 30 percent of the workforce is typically depressed or anxious at work; and more than 80 percent of the workforce points to work as a significant source of stress.

As a leader, you influence the mental health of the people around you. You set the tone for trust and safety – directly or indirectly. You communicate what’s acceptable and what’s not. You have a platform from which you can influence how others think, feel and show up for mental health at work.

The key to success as a leader for mental health is to avoid the sense of overwhelm that may come when you fully accept the impact you have on the mental health of those around you. You can own your influence and you can have a positive impact.

Create healing communities

One thing that all leaders can do to support mental wellbeing at work is to create healing communities. Community is one of the key drivers of mental health:

• Isolation ruins your health and can shorten your life.

• People with strong community are less anxious and less likely to experience depression.

• Social support is a crucial factor in successful long-term recovery from addiction – it’s associated with motivation to recover and confidence in one’s ability to recover.

Follow these four steps to get started:

1. Share your ‘why’

Why is mental health important to you? Sharing your ‘why’ is often about sharing your story and how it intersects with the story of your friends and family. Sharing your ‘why’ creates connection and connection is the seed from which community grows.

2. Set a time and set a place

Community happens when you bring people together and that rarely happens if you rely on serendipity. If you want to have an impact on the mental health of your people, you need to organize gatherings with a purpose, not ‘just because’.

Perhaps the purpose is to empower employees to prioritize mental health, or to build a resilient workforce, or to create a culture of mental wellness. Include anyone who feels connected to the community’s purpose. Healing communities aren’t defined by their size, they’re defined by their sincerity.

3. Commit to growth

A community committed to growth is one that believes every person is capable of so much more than they realize they’re capable of – that every day is an opportunity to become a better version of ourselves. In a community committed to growth, people frame challenges as catalysts for growth.

They view setbacks as part of the journey. They celebrate hard work. They build one another up by sharing insights and resources. And importantly, they speak to their concerns for others. A community that’s committed to growth shines a light into the darkness.

4. Make it safe

Making others feel safe is no easy feat, but thankfully there are models to support our success. The Neuroleadership Institute’s SCARF model is a great example. In the context of creating healing communities, leaders can make it safe by providing:

• Status: Make sure that each person feels respected for who they are.

• Certainty: Make our gatherings consistent and reliable. Consider the use of rituals, like starting on time and ending on time, practicing gratitude, going around the circle to check in or check out and so many more.

• Autonomy: Let others make their own choices. Safe conversations are those in which you don’t try to solve other people’s problems, but rather listen deeply and with empathy.

• Relatedness: Focus on the ways that we’re connected. Remember that empathy isn’t about sharing one’s experience, it’s about sharing one’s feelings. Once we know how someone is feeling, every one of us can relate, regardless of the situation they’re facing.

• Fairness: Provide equal access to resources, by giving everyone an opportunity to contribute and by treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Imagine the impact of a workplace that provides for the mental health of its people. Maybe people would want to come back to the office. Maybe it would be easier to recruit top talent. Maybe our best people would stay with us longer. Maybe leading people would build your mental health, instead of being a threat to it.

I believe the workplace is the most important healthcare provider on Earth – right here, right now. As leaders, you already have a powerful influence over the wellbeing of the people around you. If you’ll embrace this role, that influence is far more likely to be a positive one.